Applicator for polishes, powders, creams and other like materials



Dec. 20, 1960 c. F. CRAWFORD 2,964,772

APPLICATOR FOR POLISHES, POWDERS. CREAMS AND OTHER LIKE MATERIALS Filed Feb. 4, 1954 .Eg.f

[271 5]? [57F 6244/0 E 622/? Vl/F'OED United States Patent APPLICATOR FOR POLISHES, POWDERS, 'CREAMS AND OTHER LIKE MATERIALS Claud F. Crawford, Pasadena, Calif., assignor to .The Scholl Mfg. Co., Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 4, 1954, Set. N0.,408,211

2 Claims. (Cl. 15-244) This invention relates to improvements in an applicator, and more particularly to a simply constructed economical device highly desirable for the application of polish or cleansing means to footwear and the like, which may also be used in the manner of a powder puff, used to apply rouge cream, foundation and powder base cream, deodorants and the like, and which will have many other and further uses as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In the past, many and various types of applicators for miscellaneous'u'ses have been provided, but most of them, especially those utilized for applying a cleansing medium or polishto articles of footwear, have proven objectionable in that they are difiicult to hold while manipulating and the users hands too frequently become soiled with the substance being applied. Further, applicators of the type heretofore known were not as durable as desired, as light in weight as desired, and did not provide a suffieient resiliency for a smooth application of a substance.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instant invention to provide a simple form of applicator, easily manipulated, and so constructed that the users hands need never come in contact with the substance being applied.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an applicator which may readily be constructed in a sufficiently economical manner to warrant free distribution of the applicator with a package of shoe dressing, a package of face powder, or some other commodity, and yet the applicator may equally as well be made in a more expensive manner for retail sale.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a simple form of applicator that is extremely light in weight, and possesses great resiliency both as to the part that carries the substance being applied, and also as to the part engaged by the hands of a user.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a simple form of applicator made up of two initially separate pieces, but'which pieces may satisfactorily be identical as to material.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an applicator comprising a substantially flat base portion with an upstanding handle on one face of the base portion, in position to be readily grasped by the fingers of a user.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a simple form of applicator comprising an applying base made of foam latex, either covered or uncovered on the applying face, and which may be provided with a handle on the other face, made of the same material as the base.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a simple form of applicator for many and various uses, so constructed that it may be readily laundered and thoroughly cleansed whenever desired without any adverse effect.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the follow- ,half the full circular disc.

"ice

ing disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in whicha Figure 1 is a pictorial projectional view of an applicator embodying principles of the instant invention;

Figure 2 is a central vertical sectional view through the structure of Fig. 1, reduced in size;

Figure 3 is a view similar in character to Fig. 2 but showing a slightly different form of construction;

Figure 4 is a plan view of an applicator showing a different form of handle construction; and

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the structure of Fig. 4.

As shown on the drawings:

In view of the fact that the instant applicator has a multitude of uses, for purposes of clarity the applicator will be herein described in connection with two clearly unrelated uses, taken by way of example and not by way of limitation. These uses are the application of a dressing to an article of footwear or the like, and the use of the device as a powder puff.

With reference now to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen that the applicator includes a substantially fiat base 1, which may be conveniently made in the form of a disc, since that shape is advantageous for most uses. It will be understood, however, that if the applicator is to be made for a particular purpose, the base portion may have substantially any desired configuration.

This base 1 is preferably a sheet of foam latex, which is extremely soft, light in weight, has tremendous restorative powers, and presents an adequate amount of resiliency during use. This substance may also readily be laundered and is sufiiciently porous to absorb some of the material being applied, if the same should be desired. The base 1 of the applicator may be of any desirable or suit-able thickness, and a thickness of approximately /8" will be found satisfactory for most uses.

In that form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2., the underface of the base 1 is provided with a cover 2 which may be any suitable material, such as a fabric, smooth surfaced or napped, as desired. This covering 2 may be applied to the base in any suitable manner, such as by a cementitious material, or, preferably, if the basel is of foam latex, the latex may be cured to the cover. A cover of this character is desirable when the applicator is used for applying a dressing to articles of footwear or the like;

A handle, generally indicated by numeral 3, is provided on the upper face of the base 1. In the illustrated instance this handle is of the same material as the base and comprises a layer 4 of foam latex, or whatever material the base is made of, and a cover 5 of the same character as the cover 2. In the illustrated instance, the handle is in the form of a segment of a disc, and comprises more than The straight edge portion 6 of the segment is secured to the base, substantially centrally thereof, in any suitable manner, such as by an adequate adhesive to establish a firm and lasting bond bet-ween the handle and the base. As illustrated, the handle is preferably perpendicular to the base where it may be easily and readily grasped by the fingers of a user, with the fingers contacting the upper face of the base to provide stability to the whole applicator during use.

In use, the structure is extremely simple. It is only necessary for a user to grasp the handle, rub the cover 2 on the base over the substance to be applied, and apply it to an article of footwear or the like. The users hands never contact the substance being applied, remain clean at all times, and if desired the applicator may be laundered or otherwise cleansed whenever desired without injury to it.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated a slightly different form of construction, wherein the applicator is made more suitable for the applying of face powder or the like. In this instance, the base portion is of the same construction as above described, but is shown. in an inverted position with the cover 2 uppermost, so that the bare face of the cushioning material 1 is used as the active face. In the case of Fig. 3 I have illustrated how the handle, which may be of the same shape as above described and secured to the base in the same way, may be provided with a cover on each side. The handle is generally indicated by numeral 7, and in this instance comprises a central layer 4 of cushioning material such as foam latex, and a cover is applied over each face of that central layer, these covers being designated 8 and 9. Covers over both faces of the handle are desirable when the device is utilized with powder or similar material likely to create dust, since the covers will be substantially dustproof and eliminate an accumulation of dust upon the intermediate layer of cushioning material. With this arrangement, the operators hands remain free and clean during the use of the applicator, and the somewhat absorbent face of the foam latex base 1 easily picks up a sufiicient quantity of the material being applied.

It will be understood, of course, that the various covers may be eliminated if so desired, depending upon what particular use may be contemplated for the applicator. It will also be understood that the contour of the handle may also be varied as desired consistent with the use to which the device is to be put.

In Figs. 4 and I have illustrated the applicator provided with a differently shaped handle 11 which, for certain uses, may be more desirable in that the applicator may be more firmly and easily held, than with a handle of the type seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. In this instance, the base of the applicator is the sarne as described hereinabove in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. The handle 11, however, is substantially in the form of a cylindrical projection, preferably made of foam latex or of the same material as layer 1 of the base. It may be provided with a cover, or not, as desired. Preferably, this handle 11 is not truly cylindrical in character, but is of less diameter in the intermediate portion than at either end portion, so that there is a definite concavity as indicated at 12 in the surrounding surface of the handle. This provides a better grip for the user, and where no cover is used, this concavity aided by the soft clinging gripping action of foam latex on the skin, provides a positive and firm grip upon the applicator by the hands of the operator, even when hastily and carelessly handled.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided a simple form of applicator, extremely economical to manufacture, and which may be made sufficiently economical to warrant its use as a premium, or to warrant its provision with a package of shoe dressing, face powder, or any other substance with which it is to be used. The applicator may also be made of more expensive material, finished as desired, and sold as an individual article.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. An applicator comprising a base structure including a disc of soft yieldable foam material and a fabric covering on the top face of said disc, a segment of a disc of the same soft yieldable foam material having its straight edge bonded substantially centrally to one face of said base structure to act as a handle, and a fabric covering on both side faces of said handle.

2. An applicator comprising a base structure including a disc of soft yieldable foam material and a fabric covering over one face of said disc, a segment of a disc of the same soft yieldable foam material having its straight edge bonded substantially centrally to one face of said disc to act as a handle, and a fabric covering over at least one face of said segment of a disc to complete said handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 96,483 Kurtz Aug. 6, 1935 112,492 Radcliffe Mar. 7, 1871 1,423,745 Willson et al July 25, 1922 1,748,008 Barnowitz Feb. 18, 1930 1,857,989 Virneburg May 10, 1932 2,011,714 Friedman Aug. 20, 1935 2,124,061 Gold July 19, 1938 2,234,558 Huston Mar. 11, 1941 2,279,320 Huston Apr. 14, 1942 2,307,044 Huston Jan. 5, 1943 2,307,430 Thompson Jan. 5, 1943 2,331,355 Strongson Oct. 12, 1943 2,450,919 Runnels Oct. 12, 1948 2,483,593 Novick Oct. 4, 1949 2,506,308 Maynier May 2, 1950 2,719,996 Hume Oct. 11, 1955 2,767,436 Noland et al Oct. 23, 1956 2,800,673 Lazisky July 30, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 4,609 Great Britain 1915 125,079 Australia Aug. 14, 1947 

